Multi-purpose ground sweeping machine

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose ground sweeping machine includes a housing unit for receiving an impeller and defining an air blowing route and a guiding path between the air blowing route and an outlet. The housing unit has a first intake port disposed forwardly and forming a first flow duct, a second intake port disposed upwardly and rearwardly and forming a second flow duct, and an air-flow passage in communication with the first and second flow ducts. A first valve unit is operated to only permit suction air to be introduced from the first or second intake ports for drawing leaves on the ground surface into the housing unit. A second valve unit is operated to only permit blowing air to eject from an air-flow conduit disposed forwardly of the housing unit or the outlet for blowing away leaves on the ground surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a multi-purpose ground sweeping machine, more particularly to a multi-purpose ground sweeping machine which is movable over a ground surface and which can be used to blow away leaves and debris on the ground surface or to suck up leaves and debris thereinto.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional air yard cleaner generally has an impeller which is rotatable to generate a vacuum suction force to draw fallen leaves on a ground surface into a machine casing for collection in a collecting bag. The conventional yard cleaner generally has a front intake port disposed on a front side of the machine casing, which is usually in the form of a wheeled cart, or has a hose disposed on a side of the machine casing. Another conventional air yard cleaner generally has a blower which generates high volume pressurized air to move fallen leaves on the ground surface for gathering the fallen leaves together. The aforesaid air yard cleaners are disadvantageous in that they have limited applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose ground sweeping machine which is switchable between a blowing mode, in which jets of air are ejected to blow away leaves and debris on a ground surface, and a suction mode, in which suction air is generated to draw leaves and debris thereinto.

According to this invention, the multi-purpose ground sweeping machine includes an upper housing having an accommodation chamber which defines an air blowing route surrounding a central axis, and which extends downwards to terminate at a major lower wall that defines an internal port extending along the central axis. The upper housing has an outlet disposed rearwardly of the accommodation chamber, and defines therein a guiding path that is disposed laterally of the accommodation chamber. A lower housing is disposed under the major lower wall, and defines therein an air-flow passage communicated with the internal port. The lower housing has a first intake port which is disposed forwardly of the accommodation chamber, and which extends rearwardly to form a first flow duct that is in communication with the air-flow passage, and a second intake port which is disposed upwardly and rearwardly of the first intake port, and which extends forwardly to form a second flow duct that is in communication with the air-flow passage. An impeller is received in the accommodation chamber, and is driven to rotate about the central axis so as to force air which is introduced into the accommodation chamber through the internal port to flow along the air blowing route. A first valve unit includes a first valve disc which is disposed to be movable between a first suck-up position, where the first flow duct is exclusively communicated with the air-flow passage, and a second suck-up position, where the second flow duct is exclusively communicated with the air-flow passage. An outflow nozzle is disposed forwardly of the accommodation chamber. An air-flow conduit is disposed upstream of the outflow nozzle and downstream of the guiding path. A second valve unit includes a second valve disc which is disposed to be movable between a forward blowing position, where the air-flow conduit is exclusively communicated with the guiding path, and a rearward blowing position, where the outlet is exclusively communicated with the guiding path, and a second manually operable knob disposed to move the second valve disc between the forward and rearward blowing positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment when viewed from another angle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a portion of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a first valve unit placed in a first suck-up position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the first valve unit placed in a second suck-up position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a second valve unit placed in a rearward blowing position; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the second valve unit placed in a forward blowing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the preferred embodiment of a multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to the present invention is shown to comprise a housing unit 3, an impeller unit 4, a dust collection box 5, a first valve unit 7, and a second valve unit 8.

The housing unit 3 includes an upper housing 32 and a lower housing 31. The upper housing 32 has an accommodation chamber 321 which defines an air blowing route (A) surrounding a central axis (X), and which extends downwards to terminate at a major lower wall 322 that defines an internal port 323 extending along the central axis (X). The upper housing 32 has an outlet 324 disposed rearwardly of the accommodation chamber 321. The upper housing 32 defines therein a guiding path (B) that is disposed laterally of the accommodation chamber 321, and that extends to communicate the air blowing route (A) with the outlet 324. An air-flow conduit 325 extends forwardly from the upper housing 32, is disposed downstream of the guiding path (B), and is in the form of an extension tube.

The lower housing 31 is disposed under the major lower wall 322, and defines therein an air-flow passage 310 that extends upwardly to be communicated with the internal port 323. The lower housing 31 has a first intake port 311 which is disposed forwardly of the accommodation chamber 321, and which extends rearwardly to form a first flow duct 313 that is in communication with the air-flow passage 310, and a second intake port 312 which is disposed upwardly and rearwardly of the first intake port 311, and which extends forwardly to form a second flow duct 314 (see FIG. 6) that is in communication with the air-flow passage 310. A flexible hose 36 is configured to be detachably connected to the second intake port 312. The lower housing 32 has a flattened pipe 315 which extends forwardly of the upper housing 31 to define the first intake port 311 so as to facilitate sucking of leaves from the ground surface ahead. An outflow nozzle 33 is disposed upon the flattened pipe 315 and forwardly of the accommodation chamber 321, and is connected to and is disposed downstream of the air-flow conduit 325.

A wheel unit 35 includes a pair of wheels 351 rotatably mounted laterally of the lower housing 31, and a front wheel 352 rotatably mounted on a front portion of a bottom wall of the lower housing 31. A handle 37 is mounted on and extends upwardly and rearwardly from the upper housing 32 for gripping by a user.

The impeller unit 4 includes an impeller 41 and a drive member 42. The impeller 41 is received in the accommodation chamber 321, and is mounted to be driven to rotate about the central axis (X) so as to force air which is introduced into the accommodation chamber 321 through the internal port 323 to flow along the air blowing route (A). The drive member 42 is secured to the upper housing 32 to drive the impeller 41. A controller 6 is disposed on the handle 37 and is operable manually to control the drive member 42.

The dust collection box 5 is detachably connected to and is communicated with the outlet 324.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first valve unit 7 is disposed in the lower housing 31, and includes a stem 72 disposed to be rotatable in the lower housing 31, a first valve disc 73 disposed on and rotated with the stem 72, and a first manually operable knob 71 which is coupled with the stem 72 and which is disposed laterally of the lower housing 31. Thus, by operating the first manually operable knob 71, the first valve disc 73 can be turned with the stem 72 to move between a first suck-up position, as shown in FIG. 5, where the first valve disc 73 interrupts communication between the second flow duct 314 and the air-flow passage 310 such that the air-flow passage 310 is exclusively communicated with the first flow duct 313, and a second suck-up position, as shown in FIG. 6, where the first valve disc 73 interrupts communication between the first flow duct 313 and the air-flow passage 310 such that the air-flow passage 310 is exclusively communicated with the second flow duct 314.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the second valve unit 8 includes a second valve disc 81 in the form of a cylindrical rotor 81 which is rotatably mounted in the guiding path (B) about a revolving axis (L) parallel to the central axis (X), and which has a passageway 812, and a second manually operable knob 83 which is disposed on an upper portion of the upper housing 32 and which is operable to turn the cylindrical rotor 81 between a forward blowing position, as shown in FIG. 8, where the air-flow conduit 325 is exclusively communicated with the guiding path (B) through the passageway 812, and a rearward blowing position, as shown in FIG. 7, where the outlet 324 is exclusively communicated with the guiding path (B) through the passageway 812.

When it is desired to pick up and collect fallen leaves and debris lying on a ground surface, the cylindrical rotor 81 is turned to the rearward blowing position, as shown in FIG. 7, so as to communicate the outlet 324 with the guiding path (B). Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the user can select one of the first intake port 311 and the flexible hose 36 for sucking leaves. When the first intake port 311 is selected, the user can operate the first manually operable knob 71 to turn the first valve disc 73 to the first suck-up position (see FIG. 5), operate the controller 6 to actuate the drive member 42 to rotate the impeller 41, and grip the handle 37 to move the machine forward and backward over the ground surface. Thus, a negative-pressure suction force is generated in the accommodation chamber 321 so that leaves and debris are drawn into the accommodation chamber 321 through the first intake port 311, and are collected in the collection box 5 through the guiding path (B) and the outlet 324 by means of a centrifugal air jet. On the other hand, when the flexible hose 36 is selected for sucking the leaves and debris around the machine, the user can operate the first manually operable knob 71 to turn the first valve disc 73 to the second suck-up position (see FIG. 6), and operate the controller 6 to rotate the impeller 41. A negative-pressure suction force is thus generated in the accommodation chamber 321 so that leaves and debris are drawn into the accommodation chamber 321 through the flexible hose 36, and are collected in the collection box 5.

When it is desired to blow away leaves and debris on the ground surface, the centrifugal air jet generated as a result of rotation of the impeller 41 in the accommodation chamber 321 can be caused to be ejected through the outlet 324 for blowing leaves and debris around the machine, or through the outflow nozzle 33 connected to the air-flow conduit 325 for blowing leaves and debris lying in front of the machine when the machine is moved forwards.

Specifically, when it is desired to have the air jet ejected through the outlet 324, the cylindrical rotor 81 is placed in the rearward blowing position, the dust collection box 5 and the flexible hose 36 are detached from the upper housing 32, and the flexible hose 36 is connected to the outlet 324. Thus, by virtue of the rotation of the impeller 41, a fast-moving airstream is generated in the accommodation chamber 321 and the air is ejected in a jet via the flexible hose 36 through the guiding path (B) and the outlet 324.

On the other hand, when it is desired to have the air jet delivered through the outflow nozzle 33, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the user can operate the second manually operable knob 83 to turn the cylindrical rotor 81 to the forward blowing position (see FIG. 8) so as to permit communication among the air-flow conduit 325, the outflow nozzle 33, and the guiding path (B). Thus, by virtue of the rotation of the impeller 41, a stream of air generated in the accommodation chamber 321 is ejected via the outflow nozzle 33 through the guiding path (B) and the air-flow conduit 325. The user can grip the handle 37 and move the machine forwardly so as to blow away the leaves and debris from the ground surface. Preferably, an angle regulating unit (not shown) may be disposed in the outflow nozzle 33 so as to regulate the direction of the air jet.

As illustrated, the multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to the present invention can be used to selectively eject blowing air via the forwardly disposed outflow nozzle 33 for blowing away leaves and debris in front of the machine during forward movement of the machine, or via the flexible hose 36 for blowing away leaves and debris around the machine when the machine stays put. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to the present invention can be also used to generate suction air to draw leaves and debris thereinto via the forwardly disposed first intake port 311 along a forward movement path of the machine, or to draw leaves and debris around the machine via the flexible hose 36 connected to the second intake port 312 when the machine stays put.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A multi-purpose ground sweeping machine adapted to be moved over a ground surface, comprising: an upper housing having an accommodation chamber which defines an air blowing route surrounding a central axis, and which extends downwards to terminate at a major lower wall that defines an internal port extending along the central axis, said upper housing having an outlet that is disposed rearwardly of said accommodation chamber, and defining therein a guiding path that is disposed laterally of said accommodation chamber, and that extends to communicate the air blowing route with said outlet; a lower housing which is disposed under said major lower wall, and which defines therein an air-flow passage that extends upwardly to be communicated with said internal port, said lower housing having a first intake port which is disposed forwardly of said accommodation chamber, and which extends rearwardly to form a first flow duct that is in communication with said air-flow passage, and a second intake port which is disposed upwardly and rearwardly of said first intake port, and which extends forwardly to form a second flow duct that is in communication with said air-flow passage; an impeller which is received in said accommodation chamber, and which is driven to rotate about the central axis so as to force air which is introduced into said accommodation chamber through said internal port to flow along the air blowing route; a first valve unit including a first valve disc which is disposed to be movable between a first suck-up position, where said first flow duct is exclusively communicated with said air-flow passage, and a second suck-up position, where said second flow duct is exclusively communicated with said air-flow passage, and a first manually operable knob disposed to move said first valve disc between the first and second suck-up positions; an outflow nozzle disposed forwardly of said accommodation chamber; an air-flow conduit which is disposed upstream of said outflow nozzle and downstream of the guiding path; and a second valve unit including a second valve disc which is disposed to be movable between a forward blowing position, where said air-flow conduit is exclusively communicated with the guiding path, and a rearward blowing position, where said outlet is exclusively communicated with the guiding path, and a second manually operable knob disposed to move said second valve disc between the forward and rearward blowing positions.
 2. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose which is configured to be detachably connected to one of said second intake port to be disposed upstream of said second flow duct when said first valve disc is in the second suck-up position, and said outlet to be disposed downstream thereof when said second valve disc is in the rearward blowing position.
 3. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of wheels rotatably mounted laterally of said lower housing, and a handle mounted on and extending upwardly and rearwardly from said upper housing for gripping by a user.
 4. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, further comprising a dust collection box connected to and communicated with said outlet.
 5. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, wherein said first valve unit includes a stem which is rotatably disposed in said lower housing, and which is configured to couple said first manually operable knob to said first valve disc so as to permit said first manually operable knob to turn said first valve disc together with said stem to thereby move said first valve disc between the first and second suck-up positions.
 6. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, wherein said second valve disc is in the form of a cylindrical rotor which is rotatably mounted in the guiding path about a revolving axis parallel to the central axis, and which has a passageway, said cylindrical rotor being turnable by said second manually operable knob between the forward position, where said passageway communicates said air-flow conduit with the guiding path, and the rearward position, where said passageway communicates said outlet with the guiding path.
 7. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, wherein said air-flow conduit is in the form of an extension tube which interconnects said upper and lower housings.
 8. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drive member disposed to drive said impeller, and a controller which is disposed to be operable manually to control said drive member.
 9. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 1, wherein said lower housing has a flattened pipe which extends forwardly of said upper housing to define said first intake port so as to facilitate sucking of leaves from the ground surface ahead.
 10. The multi-purpose ground sweeping machine according to claim 9, wherein said outflow nozzle is disposed on said flattened pipe. 